Missile launching apparatus



Nov. 24, 1964 M. CHEVILLON 3,158,124

MISSILE LAUNCHING APPARATUS Filed July 24, 1962 FRANGIBLE 38 RING INVENTOR. MANU EL CHEVI LLON A TTORNEY 3,158,124 Patented Nov. .24, 1%6-4 3,158,124 WSSILE LAUNtIHlNG APPARATUS Manuel @hevillon, Silver Spring, Md assignor, by mesne assignments, to theUnited States ofAmerica as represented in the Secretary of the Navy iled July 24, 1962, Ser. No. 212,766 5 Claims. (Cl. 114-21) i The present invention relates to apparatus for launching an underwater missile such as a torpedo from a surface vessel. More particularl, the invention relates to the launching of underwater missiles of the type which can be guided following the launching thereof by me ans of control energy transmitted thereto through a phys cal connection between the torpedo and an operating station on the surface vessel.

Torpedoes are customarily designed to perform specific functions. Ordinarily, torpedoes are launched from an underwater vessel such as a submarine, which is constructed to incorporate tubes within which the torpedoes are carried prior to the launching operation. When the torpedo is fired, it leaves the tube and follows a tragectory calculatedto bring it into the proximity of its intended target.

A number of different forms of guidance apparatus are known by which the torpedo may be caused to follow a path which varies in accordance with changes 1n position of the target as a result of evasive maneuvers which the target may carry out in order toavoid destruction. For example, the torpedo may embody a radio receiver,- and command signals may be transmitted in the form of electromagnetic energy from the launchingsite to the torpedo in order to bring about: variations in the position of one or more of its hydrodynamic control surfaces. Another form of guidance system makes use of information preprogrammed on a computer which is built into, andforrns part of, the torpedos activating mechanism. A still further, and frequently employed form of guidance is of the so-called homing type, in which energy is emitted from the torpedo toward the target and then the reflections therefrom utilized by the torpedo to cause it to follow the target regardless of any relative positional changes which may occur.

However, one form of guidance system for an underwater missile which has shown exceptional promise under actual operating conditions is that which embodies a wire or conductor, one end of which is permanently attached to the torpedo and the other end of which is locate at the launching vessels control station. The arrangement is such that a reel of wire is unwound as the torpedo progresses through the water, and this wire permits the transmittal thereover of command signals which serve to guide the torpedo toward its target. It will be recognized that in such a system an observer at the launching site can readily bring about changes in the torpedos course as he observes changes in position of the target. One advantage of a system of this nature is that it permits the elimination from the torpedo itself of complex and often weighty mechanisms which we required eithe in pre-programmed guidance equipment, in devices which must incorporate a radio receiver, or in the energy transmitter and receiver of homing systems.

While an arrangement in which a wire trails the torpedo during its passage through the water has numerous .WOrk of structural members within which the torpedo is slidably supported. A reel of wire has been attached to the rear portion of this framework so that, upon launching of the torpedo, the reel unwinds and permits the wire to be dispensed therefrom. However, due to the considerable dimensions of many torpedoes, this wire, as it uuwinds, must travel through the entire length of the supporting framework. If the missile departs from a linear trajectory on its path to the target, this wire frequently contacts the sides of the forward portion of the framework and, in some cases, suffers excess abrasions as a result thereof, with the possibility ofactual entanglement in the structural members of the launcher. Up to the present time, it has been difficult to overcome this disadvantage.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention,

the reel or spool of wire, which previously was attached wire follows the missile along the framework until the forward portion of the launching unit is reached. At this point, the sabot encounters a restraining member which terminates its forward movement and causes it to break away from the torpedo. The Wire within the sabot then unwinds from its reel in the same manner as it would have done if the sabot had remained at. the aft portion of the launching unit. However, since the sabot is now at the front portion or the launcher, the wire which un- Winds therefrom is completely free of the launching framework and is in no danger of becoming entangled therein or of beint abraded by contact therewith.

Cure object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved form of shipboard launching apparatus for underwater missiles such as torpedoes.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved form of launching apparatus designed to be carried on shipboard and to facilitate the launching therefrom of underwater torpedoes of the type carrying a solid conductor which trails therebehind during movement of the torpedo through the water.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved carrying structurc for a payout reel on which is wound a wire connecting an underwater torpedo to a surface vessel from which it is launched.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a torpedo launching apparatus incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and showing a torpedo in its position prior to launching;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but partly in section, and showing the torpedo immediately subsequent to launching so as to bring out the change in position of other portions of the assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of one of the sub-assemblies of the apparatus of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 atorpedo-launching apparatus designed in accordance with'a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This apparatus is intended to be carried on a surface vessel and includes a torpedo-carrying unit made up of a plurality of structural members arranged to form a rectangular, box-shaped framework. As shown, a plurality of longitudinal rails ill are positioned in spaced-apart relation by a plurality of transverse struclaunching unit so that it lies essentially in a horizontal position, as best shown in FIG. 1. The interior details of torepdo 16 form no part of the present invention and hence will not be set forth herein. It is only necessary to recognize that the torpedo 16 embodies a number of hydrodynamic control surfaces (such as fins 118) by means of which it may be guided through the water toward a target following the launching thereof. The

' upper and low'er' longitudinal rails which serve to support and position the torpedo 16 are each provided with interior slots 20 (best seen in FIG. 3) within which the vertical fins 18 of the torpedo are intended to ride.

Thisis brought out by the broken line showing of FIG.

- members 10, 12 and 14, is intended to be carried on or by a vehicle from which the torpedo 16 is to be launched. If this vehicle is a surface vessel, the launching apparatus will be located upon the deck thereof.

At the rear or aft portion of the launching assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 (considered with respect to the torpedos orientation) is located a housing or sabot 21 having a pair of oppositely-disposed vertically-extending tabular guides 22 which are respectively receivable in the same slots 20 of the longitudinal rails 10 which receive the torpedo fins 18. This is also brought out from an inspection of FIG. 3. The guides 22 are accordingly designed to ride in these slots 20 during a launching operation in the same manner as the torpedo fins 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sabot 21 is detachably secured v to the rearmost extremity of torpedo 16 by some preferred form of frangible retaining unit 24, a preferred form of which is shown in detail in FIG. 4. This unit 24 may include a ring-shaped member 25 composed of some plastic material which will break or fracture when a shock or pressure of sufficient magnitude is applied thereto. The

.purpose of such a design will subsequently become ap-. parent.

1 Within the sabot 21 is a coil of wire 26 wound upon a i reel or spool 28 disposed to lie along the main or horizontal axis of the torpedo launching assembly. One end of this wire 26 is attached to the rearmost point of the torpedo 16, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 3. The re- 'maining end of wire 26 is secured to the reel 28 and forms an electriacl extension of a relatively heavy cable 30 over which guidance signals are supplied to the wire 26 from subject'to entanglement in the structural members 10, 12

and 14 when the wire reel 28 remained in a position such as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings after the torpedo has left the launcher. To overcome this disadvantage, the

;present invention incorporates means whereby the wire reel 28changes its position during the launching operation and assumes a new location such as shown in FIG. 3.

When the missile 16 is launched, it moves from right to left as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the fins 18 riding in the slots 20 formed inrails 10. In accordance with the present invention, the sabot 21 remains'attached' to the missile 16 because of the action of the retaining device 24, and likewise rides in the slots 20 until the, sabot reaches the forward end of the launching unit. No payout of wire from reel 28 takes place until the sabot 21 thus reaches the foward end of the launching unit. However, at this point, the guide elements 22 are restrained from further movement by contact with some rubber bumpers or other cushioning members 32 which preclude further progress of the sabot. At this instant, continued outward movement of torpedo 16 breaks the frangible ring 25 and causes the wire 26 to begin to unwind from reel 28. However, this unwinding of wire 26 now occurs at a point where the wire cannot possibly become entangled in the rails 10, 12 and 14, and hence any possibility of malfunctioning from this cause is eliminated.

In FIG. 4 is illustrated the manner in which the sabot is caused to'become disengaged from the torpedo when further movement of the fomer is arrested. As shown, a pair of cammed toggles 34 (only one being visiblein FIG. 4) are each pivotally attached to a forwardly extending projection 37 on the sabot 21. These toggles each have a cammed surface directly contacting the surface of the torpedo. Rearwardly of this cammed toggle portion, an annular ring 38 is carried by, and securely aflixed to, the torpedo skin. The upper portion of each toggle 34 is formed with a recess or notch 40 into which the frangible ring 25 is receivable.

7 During the time that the sabot 21 is traveling down the launching unit, the components of the retaining device 24 will have the relative positionsshown in FIG. 4. When further movement of sabot 21 is terminated by the stop members 32, the forward momentum of torpedo 16 causes the ring 38 to act against a carnmed surface 42 of each toggle 34, forcing the toggle outwardly to a position such as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 4 and breaking the frangible ring 25. The torpedo continues along its path (see FIG. 3) and the toggles 34 remain open.

As the sabot 21 reaches its position of FIG. 3 to engage the resilient members 32 with a certain velocity, some means is desirable to prevent it from reb-oundingrearwardly. This means may comprise one or more latches 36 preferably in the form of conventional detents which are spring-loaded to respectively enter recesses in the longitudinal rails 1t and thus maintain the sabot 21 in its payout position of FIG. 3.

Instead of the specific retaining device of FIG. 4, it is possible to form an annular groove in the rear surface of torpedo 16, and have the toggles 34 so configured as to fit into this groove. This would permit the ring 38 to be dispensed with and thereby simplify the overall design. 7

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim: I

1. Vehicle-based apparatus for launching an elongated underwater missile of the type designed to receive electrical guidance signals from a control station on the vehicle over a wire trailing behind the missile while the latter is traveling through the water toward a target, said ap paratus comprising a boxdike framework of structural members designed to be based on said vehicle and within which the missile is slidably carried so that its longitudinal axis lies essentially horizontal, a. reel upon which is wound the wire one end of which is attached to the missile and mains based on said vehicle as said missile continues its movement to thereby cause said wire to unwind from said reel without any likelihood of the wire becoming entangled in said framework.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which a plurality of said structural members are provided with slots extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said missile, and in which such missile is provided with a plurality of fins respectively receivable in said slots.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said reel housing is provided with a plurality of tabular extensions respectively receivable in the same slots that receive the respective missile fins.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising means for releasably locking said reel housing in position on said framework following its limited movement with respect thereto.

5. Apparatus for launching a torpedo from a vessel, said apparatus comprising a frame designed to be mounted on said vessel and within which said torpedo is slidably supported in a generally horizontal position, a reel, a were carried on said reel and through which control signals are transmitted to said torpedo from a station on said vessel, one end of said wire being attached to the aft portion of said torpedo and the other end being attached to said reel, means for slidably mounting said reel on said frame so that it will move as a unit with said torpedo during the initial phase of the launching operation, and means for terminating such unitary movement as soon as the initial phase of the launching operation has been completed whereupon said reel remains mounted on said frame as the latter remains mounted on said vessel.

References {Jilted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. VEHICLE-BASED APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING AN ELONGATED UNDERWATER MISSILE OF THE TYPE DESIGNED TO RECEIVE ELECTRICAL GUIDANCE SIGNALS FROM A CONTROL STATION ON THE VEHICLE OVER A WIRE TRAILING BEHIND THE MISSILE WHILE THE LATTER IS TRAVELING THROUGH THE WATER TOWARD A TARGET, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A BOX-LIKE FRAMEWORK OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS DESIGNED TO BE BASED ON SAID VEHICLE AND WITHIN WHICH THE MISSILE IS SLIDABLY CARRIED SO THAT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS LIES ESSENTIALLY HORIZONTAL, A REEL UPON WHICH IS WOUND THE WIRE ONE END OF WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE MISSILE AND THE OTHER END OF WHICH IS SECURED TO SAID REEL, A HOUSING FOR SAID REEL ALSO SLIDABLY CARRIED BY SAID FRAMEWORK, MEANS FRANGIBLY ATTACHING SAID HOUSING TO THE AFT PORTION OF SAID MISSILE, AND MEANS FOR CAUSING SAID MISSILE AND SAID REEL HOUSING TO SLIDABLY MOVE AS A UNIT WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAMEWORK FOR A LIMITED DISTANCE WHEN THE MISSILE IS LAUNCHED, AT THE END OF WHICH LIMITED MOVEMENT SAID REEL HOUSING WILL BREAK AWAY FROM SAID MISSILE AND REMAIN SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAMEWORK WHILE THE LATTER REMAINS BASED ON SAID VEHICLE AS SAID MISSILE CONTINUES ITS MOVEMENT TO THEREBY CAUSE SAID WIRE TO UNWIND FROM SAID REEL WITHOUT ANY LIKELIHOOD OF THE WIRE BECOMING ENTANGLED IN SAID FRAMEWORK. 